Stuff

I don't know if this is a common thing among the households of 6163 but I have all these collections scattered about the place of "stuff" - all of them contain things that could be categorised under various headings such as "will get back to that later" and "can't think where to put it but know I will need it at some point" and my favourite collection -  "really want to keep that because I will one day enjoy making something with it" - this last pile goes waaay back and has different genres like cool cards, old photos, bits of fabric, and other kooky stuff that I refuse to throw out because I am attached to them, and I am convinced I will find a purpose for them, or display them so their uniqueness will be on show for all to see .... if only I had the time.  It's true that in some ways these are painful reminders that a) I keep things for a long time/ have trouble throwing stuff out; b) am not good at sorting and putting away; and, c) I don't complete tasks. 

To avoid facing the harsh reality of what these piles might represent I put them all in nice bags and different containers, tins, baskets and cool boxes (like my vintage Cuban cigar box - that's a good one - as is my quite largish George Jensen bag ....thanks hubby). That way they become part of the look of the place, and I do enjoy looking at them (as I rush by), and the added bonus is that people I am married to don't notice them quite so much (especially when I keep adding to them after recent trips to places like Melbourne).

The trouble is I never seem to have the time to devote to playing and making things like I would if I could  - I envy the crafty mums of 6163 who obviously prioritise these things and give themselves much joy, either that or they have a serious addiction to something unhealthy that keeps them awake long into the night allowing them to achieve these things - including sewing !

So for now I guess I just wait until that moment comes ... and keep making and adding to my beautiful collection of Stuff.

A Mother's Love

Being Mother's day I find myself reflecting on what motherhood has brought to my life thus far, and inevitably how much my life has changed. I knew it was always going to change, but you can never really know just how much and in what ways - how can you ? 

During my first pregnancy and, to be honest, many years before that (when I was not into the concept of having children), I spent a lot of time thinking about all the things that would change with a child - from the lack of sleep, to having to let my career go, to never having time alone with my husband or to read a book or watch a movie, through to the multitude of serious afflictions and dangers a child could face. But the one thing I hadn't really thought through or anticipated was just how intense my love for my children was going to be, and I know now that it is that love which is what ultimately changes everything.  It is this love which gets you out of bed in the middle of the night (every night), its what makes you take a deep breath and find a reserve of patience and calm you never knew you had - when really you just want to scream,  it's what makes your heart ache when they are scared or sad, and it is this love which enables you to put your own needs aside, or at least much further down the priority list. 

Motherhood brings daily challenges and insights, it delivers absurdity, hilarity, creativity, and exhaustion in equal measure.  It makes demands on you on so many levels and teaches you so much about yourself ... aspects you never knew existed - the good and the not so good.  It shows you a type of love I never knew existed, nor would I have thought myself capable of giving - and which, today  ... leaves me feeling truly blessed.